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Six contenders to coach the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa

Last Updated: 10/07/17 3:07pm

Warren Gatland has refused to rule out a third successive tour as the Lions boss

Warren Gatland has already ensured his place in British and Irish Lions history
by overseeing a series win in Australia in 2013 and now this year's drawn Test
campaign in New Zealand.

But who will take charge of the Lions when they take to South Africa in 2021? We take a look at the early candidates to coach the Lions in four years time...

Warren Gatland (Wales and British and Irish Lions)

Wales head coach Gatland has refused to rule out a third successive tour as Lions boss in 2021.

The 53-year-old is on the All Blacks' radar to replace current New Zealand boss Steve Hansen when he retires in 2019.

We look back at the best bits from the Lions tour of New Zealand.

We look back at the best bits from the Lions tour of New Zealand.

Gatland's Wales contract expires after the 2019 World Cup, and he could now easily be drafted into the All Blacks set-up in due course.

The former Wasps and Ireland boss could opt not to chase a role with the All Blacks however. And were he stillavailable for Lions duty in four years, he would clearly boast the experience and acumen to man the helm once more.

Eddie Jones (England)

England boss Jones has long since joked he will end up on the beach watching cricket in retirement after the 2019 World Cup.

And yet in May Jones admitted he would be keen on the Lions role if he were in the right place at the right time when 2021 comes around.

Eddie Jones' (right) side became only the second England team to complete a series whitewash in Argentina this summer

"I am open to everything. I don't sit there at night and think 'I hope I am going to be the next Lions coach'," said Jones.

"Because it is such a unique job there is no natural progression to it. It is a one-off job which is decided at a certain time.

"And if you are in the market and in the right area then you are going to get a call and get a tap on the shoulder. I wouldn't say no but I am not saying yes."

Jones will know full well this statement leaves the Lions bosses on alert that he is fully interested in coaching the next tour.

Dai Young (Wasps)

Former Wales and Lions prop Young has excelled with Wasps in an upwardly-mobile coaching career that appears destined to take in a Test match stint sooner rather than later. Young ought to be on the radar as a potential replacement for Gatland as Wales boss.

Dai Young was named the Premiership's Director of Rugby of the season after guiding Wasps to the top of the table and a final appearance

The 49-year-old former Cardiff coach appears very settled in the Premiership, and Wasps are certainly continuing to improve under his tutelage.

Young understands the Lions' ethos and demands, and has also created a heavily attack-laden Wasps team that would appeal to traditionalists who want to see the famed touring side play with flair and pace.

Mark McCall (Saracens)

Former Ulster coach McCall's stunning success with Saracens must not be overlooked in any conversation about coaches with Test match calibre.